GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRACK
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari is universally recognized as an extremely technical track, difficult to read, with complex curves and off-cuts: traveling at a high pace requires a professional skill level.
The circuit and the annexed structures have been part of a redevelopment and modernization plan that began in November 2006 and ended in September 2007. It was curated by the renowned German architect Hermann Tilke, who specialized in the construction of motor racing circuits.
In the summer of 2009 the Nuova Variante Bassa was created, in order to meet the homologation requirements set by the International Motorcycling Federation. This addition, designed to neutralize the slight right-hand bend characteristic of the track for cars, is located in front of the pit lane. In August 2011, the circuit was the subject of the resurfacing work on the road surface, an operation that involved 70% of the track.
The origins of the Imola racetrack are remembered by a special witness, Enzo Ferrari, in his 1980 book as:
“My first contact with Imola dates back to the spring of 1948. I thought from the first moment that this hilly environment could one day become a small Nurburgring due to the natural difficulties that building the road belt would have to cross, thus offering a truly selective path for men and machines. From this opinion, the promoters of Imola felt comforted. In May 1950, construction began. I was present at the ground-breaking ceremony, which was hosted by the lawyer Onesti with the greeting of CONI and a contribution of 40 million that I think was the first gesture of the body to motorsports.
A small Nurburgring – I repeated that day looking around – a small Nurburgring, with equal technical resources, spectacular and an ideal path length. This belief has been achieved through the decades that have passed since then. “
1952
The testing of the track – after its completion – was carried out on October 1952 by Ascari, Farina and Villoresi in Ferraris, Bertocchi in a Maserati, Masetti in a Gilera and Lorenzetti on the Guzzi.
1953
On 25 April 1953 the circuit was inaugurated with the contest of the Grand Prix Coni, the Italian motorcycling championship that saw Masetti and Lorenzetti as winners. In the same year the racetrack management was assumed by E.S.T.I. (Ente Sport e Turismo Imolese), with Tommaso Maffei Alberti as president.
1954 – 1955
The following year, the ” Coppa d’Oro Shell ” came into being, promoted by the Imola Moto Club, would become the most famous motorcycle race for over twenty years, with extraordinary public successes. In 1954, car racing also arrived with the Grand Prix “Conchiglia d’Oro Shell”, promoted by the Auto Club of Bologna, which was limited to sport cars
1956
Umberto Maglioli’s Ferrari reached the finish line followed by two future stars of the history of world motorsports who also classified: the British Colin Chapman and the Australian Jack Brabham. Another big name in the world of motoring, Bernie Ecclestone, raced at Imola on a Norton Max in a heated motorcycle race in 1956.
1963
On April 21, 1963, during the beginning of Formula 1, the first unofficial race took place on Imola’s track, however the Ferrari team did not attend. “The Flying Scotsman” Jim Clark proved victorious that day driving the Lotus Climax Brm with which he raced to become World Champion at the end of the season.
1967
On 7 September 1967, however, it was the Santerno circuit’s turn to host the World Championship with the “Grand Prix of Nations”
1972
1972 was the year of another great motorcycle innovation: Checco Costa invented the “Daytona of Europe”, or the legendary 200 Miles on the other side of the Atlantic.
1979
After an extensive renovation of the circuit and the construction of the new box – which at the time was the most modern in Europe – a new Formula 1 GP took place in September 1979, not officially for the World Championship but all the teams participating in the championship were present. Victory was claimed by Niki Lauda that day on Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham.
1980
For over 25 years – F1 remained in Imola, where in September 1980 a GP for the World Championship was held for the first time: the 51st Italian Grand Prix.
1980
The origins of the Imola racetrack are remembered by a special witness, Enzo Ferrari, in his 1980 book as: “My first contact with Imola dates back to the spring of 1948. I thought from the first moment that this hilly environment could one day become a small Nurburgring due to the natural difficulties that building the road belt would have to cross, thus offering a truly selective path for men and machines. From this opinion, the promoters of Imola felt comforted. In May 1950, construction began. I was present at the ground-breaking ceremony, which was hosted by the lawyer Onesti with the greeting of CONI and a contribution of 40 million that I think was the first gesture of the body to motorsports. A small Nurburgring – I repeated that day looking around – a small Nurburgring, with equal technical resources, spectacular and an ideal path length. This belief has been achieved through the decades that have passed since then. “
1981
Excellence has been achieved since 1981, when the Autodromo hosted the Formula 1 Grand Prix of San Marino for the first time. Considered one of the most spectacular races in the F1 World Championship calendar, so much so that a survey carried out by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in 2005 found that 35% of enthusiasts in the world had declared that their interest in Formula 1 was directly linked to the presence of the “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” circuit in the Championship calendar. The evocative power of this name is linked to a history of unforgettable sporting events, which, in the collective imagination, creates the paradigm of the motor world. In addition to the emotional aspects, there is a structure and an organizational machine that have always demonstrated an innovative ability and a technical preparation in a of world excellence.
1981
In 1981 the Grand Prix of San Marino was born in Imola and Italy began hosting two races of the F1 World Championship every year: the San Marino GP in Imola in spring and the Italian GP in Monza in September.
1988
The racetrack’s current name of “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” saw its last modification in 1988 after the death of the “Drake”; starting in 1968 he had only used the name of his son Dino who died prematurely.
1995
In 1995 the Tamburello and Villeneuve curves were replaced to reduce the speed of the track.
2008
These works were followed by further changes, carried out at a fast pace during the summer months of 2008. They involved the altering the layout of the pit lane entrance and widening of the Piratella Curve escape route, as well as the resurfacing of the section of track between the exit of the pits and the end of the Tamburello curve as well as various safety measures such as curbs, grasses and tire safety barriers. The Municipality of Imola, owner of the track, entrusted its management to Formula Imola S.p.A. which officially reopened the gates of the Autodromo on May 3rd with the event “Imola back on track”: a huge two-day party filled with music, sport, entertainment and gastronomy with 38,000 enthusiastic people in attendance. The city and its citizens were especially delighted to be able to access the historical symbol of their city again. The inauguration of the track, from a racing point of view, took place in September of that year with World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) race.
2010
2010 can be considered the year of relaunching for the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola. The sporting activities started with the Scuderia Toro Rosso, which has carried out important tests for the Formula One World Championship. In April, the Superstars Championship brought cars to the track to compete, followed by the International GT Open in May. Before taking a break for summer, the track hosted the most important national four-wheeled event, the Italian Aci-Csai Champions. September saw two major events: Crame, one of the most important exhibitions of vintage cars, motorcycles and bicycles, and the World SBK Championship, in which Max Biaggi triumphed for Aprilia, becoming the first Italian rider to attain the world title in this category. The year wrapped up with great success with the first edition of the 200 Mile Revival, blessed with the attendance of unforgettable champions of the race conceived by Checco Costa our founder. Finally, December 22nd saw the Shareholders’ Meeting of Formula Imola in which the new company structure was ratified making Con.Ami a majority shareholder.
…TODAY
Looking at the area and physical structures from a morphological point of view, the circuit has always been considered Avant guard in terms of flexibility and functionality, giving it the highest levels of hospitality, in addition to high speed automobile racing, other sportives both motorized and non-motorized, music and cultural events, as well as providing services to businesses for various uses. It comes in first as a ground for vehicle testing among the most prestigious automobile and motorcycle manufacturers. The multifunctional use of the circuit represents one of the most important drivers in the development of the Racetrack’s industrial plan, in order to best take advantage of the real estate and generate revenues that are regular and sustainable.
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